32 Reasons for a Professional Shine...

...every tooth being a reason to smile!

Unfortunately, teeth are not always perfectly shaped and not everyone has a smile with their teeth forming a perfect curve. Even if you brush and floss with a great deal of effort; there may be that one little nook or cranny that gets missed out. It may happen where one tooth overlaps another, or perhaps it may happen right at the back, maybe around your wisdom teeth. Often gaps between teeth are overlooked too.

Sadly, it is these hard-to-reach spaces that cause problems. These un-cleaned areas will harbor bacteria that are itching to wage war on your teeth.

During the day, a soft sticky film called plaque forms on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria which form acids and weaken your teeth. Weakened teeth begin to decay.

Normally, a good brushing with a brush and fluoridated toothpaste can sweep away most of the plaque. However, plaque re-forms every few hours. Also sometimes plaque gets left behind in the hard-to-reach spaces. In a short while, plaque hardens into calculus or tartar which brushing cannot remove. If this gritty tartar is allowed to remain on your teeth, it helps bacteria thrive right next to your gums. This may then cause infection and bleeding. It is almost impossible to brush away tartar.

Dental scaling or dental cleaning is done to remove this tartar and leave your teeth clean and smooth so you can continue to clean them easily at home. A dentist can also remove stains (such as tea, coffee and tobacco) making it harder for the bacteria to get a foothold on your teeth. Polishing is then done using rotating brushes and paste. This makes your teeth look and feel cleaner. Scaling and polishing can be finished in a very short time if you care for your teeth regularly at home and brush well.

From my Clinic Diaries:

You can have too much of a good thing.

One of my patients recently visited the clinic for dental scaling and polishing. After a complete cleaning and polishing with flavored paste, she confessed that she usually schedules her appointment prior to a date. She inquired whether it was possible to come in for a quick polishing once a week before going on a date and admitted that it boosted her kissing skills.

I had to regretfully decline. The dental paste I use for polishing does have visibly sparkling effects and a refreshing flavor, but it is certainly more abrasive than daily use toothpaste. Regular use of professional polishing paste may cause wearing of tooth enamel. Professional cleaning is usually necessary once in six months or when recommended by a dentist.




If you would like more detail, this YouTube video describes the formation of plaque, its effects and the process of dental scaling.